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Prior to starting out as a manager, David Artell was a highly experienced defender for clubs including Rotherham, Mansfield, Crewe, Morecambe and Wrexham – and played internationally for Gibraltar. He won promotion with Rotherham in 2001 – and has won promotion with Crewe Alexandra as a player and manager.

David was the EFL League Two Manager of the Year for the 2019-2020 season, having won promotion with Crewe on one of the smallest budgets in the division. Having enjoyed success as manager of Crewe, he was appointed manager of Grimsby Town in 2023 and oversaw League Two Grimsby’s stunning League Cup wins against Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday in the 2025-26 season.

David is a highly respected leader, former international footballer and award-winning manager, with a proven track record of success in high-pressure environments. Drawing on his experience at the elite level of professional sport, David delivers powerful insights into leading through adversity, managing under pressure, and building resilient, high-performing teams. His career has been defined by an ability to unite people behind a clear vision, create winning cultures, and develop individuals to consistently exceed expectations.

David enjoyed an international playing career, competing against teams such as Germany and performing at the highest level of the game, gaining first-hand experience of elite performance, leadership, and diverse sporting cultures.

He holds a BSc in Forensic Biology with postgraduate qualifications in Biomedical Science.

Since moving into management, he has combined practical experience with academic excellence, holding diplomas in Strategic Leadership and Football Management and the prestigious UEFA Pro Licence. His leadership was further recognised when he was named LMA Manager of the Year, after securing promotion with one of the lowest budgets in the league – underscoring his ability to drive performance, develop teams, and deliver sustained success under pressure.

As well as being manager of Grimsby Town, David also works with organisations across sport and business, translating lessons from the professional game into actionable strategies for leaders and teams. His talks are insightful, authentic, and results-focused and are centred on developing people, fostering accountability, and creating environments where individuals and organisations can thrive under pressure.

David is comfortable adapting to most scenarios as a speaker, depending on the objective, from Q&As about his career as a player and manager, to business talks, and being an invited external speaker on FA courses.

David Artell | Speaking Topics

– Leadership
– Teamwork
– How to gain a competitive edge
– Performance psychology
– Creating a positive culture/environment
– Creating an effective structure
– Effective communication in a team environment
– Getting the best out of individuals
– Creating strategies and planning for success
– Resilience
– Overcoming adversity
– Mindset
– Getting team members to buy into a plan / strategy
– Development of staff and players within a team environment
– Leading through a crisis
– Staying calm under pressure
– Achieving success under pressure

Contact Great Sports Speakers today to check David’s availability and fees for personal appearances and speaking engagements.